AUBURN, Alabama -- Jonathan Jones heard a stern voice in his head when he hit the turf during a pivotal moment in the BCS National Championship.

The sophomore defensive back had just crumpled to the turf while attempting to cover a kickoff late in the fourth quarter against Florida State. His hamstring had given out, and as Kermit Whitfield changed direction from the center of the field -- where Jones was running -- to the left side, Jones tried to lift himself back on his feet at the 28-yard line.

"Coach (Gus) Malzahn always says when you get hurt, don't lay on the field," Jones said Saturday. "That was always in my mind, get up, keep trying to play, keep trying to fight."

The excruciating pain was too much to overcome, but yet he still tried to get up. His body started to flop wildly as he attempted to crawl toward the play.

As he inched his body toward the Auburn sideline, he looked up just in time to see Whitfield turn the corner and run past Jonathon Mincy at the 32-yard line.

Whitfield was celebrating his 100-yard kickoff return seven seconds later in the end zone and Florida State grabbed a crucial 27-24 lead with 4:31 remaining.

The image of Jones crawling is a heartbreaking moment for Auburn fans, and there's no telling if Jones would have been able to change the play and shift Jones' trajectory just enough for a teammate to stop him from turning the corner.

Still, the questions remain more than two months following the 34-31 loss to the Seminoles. The play is also still painful to talk about.

"It was difficult," Jones said. "It was difficult, but, like I said, it was a learning curve and it helped me get better as a person."

Jones dealt with injures throughout the season. He broke an ankle in August and missed five games before returning to the field. He made an immediate impact as a backup at field cornerback, where he hopes to win the starting job this spring.

Jones was a key contributor on special teams, and while his hamstring injury on the kick return will always stick out, he also played a crucial part in pinning Florida State inside its own 2-yard line in the first quarter. With his feet bordering the goal line, he batted down a Steven Clark punt. The Tigers' defense stood tall on the ensuing possession, Auburn's offense took over at FSU's 25-yard line and the Tigers took advantage with a touchdown to take a 7-3 lead.

Big play or not, Jones will remember the turning point in the BCS National Championship as he dragged his limp leg toward the sideline in an effort to make a play.

"It's a learning lesson," Jones said. "Like coach said, stay healthy. That's about all I can say about that."